In pursuit of what is good

 

From Proverbs come these words of wisdom as the Verse of the Day for February 23, 2018:

Proverbs 14:22

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

Here we see the contrast between those who “plot evil” and those who “plan what is good.” Clearly, those who plan what is good are intentional in their pursuits and rewarded in finding love and faithfulness.

In Deuteronomy 12:28 we find a similar reference to “doing what is good.”

Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God.

Likewise, Job 34:4 uses a similar expression:

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

Likewise, in Romans 12:9 in the Amplified Bible we find a reference not only to pursuing what is good but to firmly grasp what we find:

Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

In thinking about pursuing what is good, I recall a previous blog entry:

In Pursuit of What is Good

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone,

but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

 

As a hunter reads footprints and tracks down his game,

So our desire to pursue good as we awake.

Desire, a fire, flames the passion held so deeply.

Having felt Your touch and known Your presence before,

As lovers pursue, we yearn for You even more,

Assured all who pursue the good shall also find.

As the sun rises to follow its daily course,

Zealously we seek You with our heart, soul and mind,

As one traces a winding river to its source,

As one forsakes all to purchase priceless treasure,

So we seek what is good, to know your good pleasure.

We conclude this blog entry with a song of worship that also came to mind, “My Soul Follows Hard after Thee” with lyrics by Don Moen:

For the good of your neighbor

The Verse of the Day for May 23, 2016 encourages believers to be concerned about the welfare of others:

Romans 15:2 (AMP):

Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].

The Verse of the Day brings to mind a similar expression regarding how one should behave toward one’s neighbor and that is “to do good” to those who whom we encounter.  Throughout the Scriptures we find references that encourage believers as to how they should behave. Here are two illustrations from the Psalms of David:

Psalm 34:14 (AMP)

Turn away from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 37:3

Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 (NLT) makes clear that those who choose to “do evil” or “to do good” will be rewarded accordingly:

If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness

In the Gospels the Lord Jesus Christ encouraged his followers to “do good,” even to one’s enemies:

Luke 6:27 (AMP):

But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:35 (AMP):

But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Galatians 6:10 (AMP) offer this sound advice:

So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

1 Thessalonians 5:15 reinforces this message:

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

The exhortation “to do good” also brings to mind the sage advice of John Wesley:

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

The musical group Commissioned closes our comments with this reminder that in all that we do “Only What You Do for Christ Will Last.”

To do evil or to do good

The Verse of the Day for February 23, 2016 sets forth two options as to how believers should conduct their lives:

Proverbs 14:22

Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

The New Living Translation puts it this way:

Proverbs 14:22

If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

Throughout the Psalms we find numerous indications as to the path we should take. When it comes to doing evil or doing good, here are some verses that encourage us to

To do good

Psalm 34:14 (AMP)

Turn away from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 37:3 in the Amplified Bible reveals what occurs when we do good:

Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.

Not only are we to do good, but God will do good to those who do good:

Psalm 125:4 (AMP)

Do good, O Lord, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts.

In the New Testament as well we find words that encourage believers “to do good.” Jesus Christ exhorts his followers with these words:

Luke 6:27 (AMP):

“But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you,

Galatians 6:10 (AMP) expands the number of recipients to whom we should “do good.”

So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

To do evil

In contrast, in the Book of Psalms and elsewhere in Scripture we find sobering words regarding those who “do evil.”

Psalm 5:5 (AMP):

The boastful and the arrogant will not stand in Your sight; You hate all who do evil.

Psalm 34:16 states God’s position this way:

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Psalm 36:12 also speaks of those who do evil in this way:

11 Do not let the foot of the proud [person] overtake me,
and do not let the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 There those who [are perverse and] do evil have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.

Psalm 37:9

For those who do evil will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.

Seemingly the choice to refrain from doing evil and to practice doing good continually would be simple one. Note what God says about those who practice or who do evil:

Jeremiah 13:23 (NKJV)

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.

Jeremiah 18:10 (AMP) indicates that there are severe consequences to those who “do evil”:

and if they do evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will reverse My decision concerning the good with which I had promised to bless them.

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Clearly, those who conduct their lives with evil intentions are not looked upon favorably with God. As the Verse of the Day reminds us: those who choose to do good will be rewarded.

This final exhortation regarding good and evil comes from Romans 12:21 (AMP):

Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Steve Green offers this musical rendition of Romans 12:21 “Overcome Evil with Good” directed to children of God of all ages: